Bartolome and San Salvador Islands
Our day started hiking surrounded by timeless geological features. The spatter cones revealed to us how spaghetti sauce boils. As large amounts of gas are released, large lumps of molten material are sent skyward, landing, solidifying and piling up one on another. The moonscape offered on Bartolome Island would be the perfect scenery for Apollo 14, so Tom Hanks could enjoy the wonderful view from the top as we did.
Afterwards, the marine ecosystem opened a door to a contrasting underwater world. We snorkeled with the only equatorial penguins from the planet, together with sea lions and sea turtles. It was a lot of fun and you don’t freeze while the penguins “fly” in the water around you. The scuba divers added hammerhead sharks to their underwater experience.
By noon, we navigated along the northern coast of Santiago Island. We disembarked on a black sandy beach and hiked along the coastline of Puerto Egas. Nature is an artist in different ways. Wind erosion has made smooth carvings as sculptures on the tuff and the lava has dramatic frozen bubbles from gas release. By the time the marine iguanas were gathering in order to be warm enough for the evening, the sea lions pups were nursing or waiting for their mothers to do so. Meanwhile, blue-footed boobies and pelicans were on a spectacular feeding frenzy. They looked like reincarnated kamikazes. Simultaneous plunge diving may be initiated by one individual giving a short whistle. Birds that dive from air far down into the water can take advantage of layers deeper beneath the surface. By flying, they are also able to seek prey in a less energy-demanding way. Highly mobile preys, such as fish at moderate depths, are best caught by this method. Cooperation is of great importance for the feeding success of some seabirds.
The afternoon ended with an astounding sunset between Isabela and Fernandina Island.
Our day started hiking surrounded by timeless geological features. The spatter cones revealed to us how spaghetti sauce boils. As large amounts of gas are released, large lumps of molten material are sent skyward, landing, solidifying and piling up one on another. The moonscape offered on Bartolome Island would be the perfect scenery for Apollo 14, so Tom Hanks could enjoy the wonderful view from the top as we did.
Afterwards, the marine ecosystem opened a door to a contrasting underwater world. We snorkeled with the only equatorial penguins from the planet, together with sea lions and sea turtles. It was a lot of fun and you don’t freeze while the penguins “fly” in the water around you. The scuba divers added hammerhead sharks to their underwater experience.
By noon, we navigated along the northern coast of Santiago Island. We disembarked on a black sandy beach and hiked along the coastline of Puerto Egas. Nature is an artist in different ways. Wind erosion has made smooth carvings as sculptures on the tuff and the lava has dramatic frozen bubbles from gas release. By the time the marine iguanas were gathering in order to be warm enough for the evening, the sea lions pups were nursing or waiting for their mothers to do so. Meanwhile, blue-footed boobies and pelicans were on a spectacular feeding frenzy. They looked like reincarnated kamikazes. Simultaneous plunge diving may be initiated by one individual giving a short whistle. Birds that dive from air far down into the water can take advantage of layers deeper beneath the surface. By flying, they are also able to seek prey in a less energy-demanding way. Highly mobile preys, such as fish at moderate depths, are best caught by this method. Cooperation is of great importance for the feeding success of some seabirds.
The afternoon ended with an astounding sunset between Isabela and Fernandina Island.
